Eric grew up in Central Oregon with horses as a way of life. During his teenage years, he was Lead Wrangler for the local stables in Sunriver, OR. He taught riding skills, guided pack trips, trained horses, worked with the local farrier, and was hired by ranches as a working cowboy.

After high school, Eric enlisted in the US Navy and entered the US Navy SEAL program. Out of the 120 men that started the eight month training course, only 18 made it to the end, Eric earned top honors and was Honorman of BUD’S Class 186. He served his country for eight years as a member of the US Navy SEAL Teams. After the military, Eric and his family moved to the Pacific Northwest and started Eagle Rock Ranch in Okanogan County, located in the high country of Aeneas Valley. As the ranch grew, Eric went back to what he loved most and has dedicated himself to becoming the best Horseman he can be.

Eric graduated from Mission Farrier School with a world class education in hoof science and Natural Balance principles. He also had the great opportunity to be a US Forest Service packer for the Rocky Mountain Specialty Pack String, based out of Shawnee, CO. Using nine mules, he packed in over 600 loads of supplies and equipment through out Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Nebraska.

Today, he is the owner of Eric Neilsen Equine Services where he provides full-time professional horse training, private horsemanship classes, and farrier work. In every thing he does, he strives to build a solid foundation that gives both horse and owner the opportunity for success.